Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the CIS; its history dates back almost three thousand years. Located on the territory of the disputed region, the crossroads at which the confrontation of different cultures was always especially strong, Yerevan is a unique cultural monument, a nugget. And the museums of Yerevan, like shining faces, emphasize its originality. They allow you to penetrate the complex and tragic fate of the ancient Armenian culture.
Among the museums of Yerevan stands out a single museum complex. It includes the Historical Museum, the Museum of the Revolution, the Museum of Literature and Art, as well as the Art Gallery of Armenia.
Historical Museum
It boasts a number of exhibits from the first centuries of the city's existence (and even from more ancient settlements). This museum in Yerevan presents beautifully preserved objects from the bottom of Lake Sevan dating from the 13th century BC. Among them, you can even see two four-wheeled wooden carts, which are perfectly preserved under a layer of silt.
There is an excellent exposition of objects of early Christian culture in Armenia - sculpture, ceramics, book miniatures and other artifacts. Since that time, we can talk about the beginning of the formation of a unique culture that absorbs the traditions of both the Christian and Muslim worlds.
The exposition devoted to the Middle Ages is very rich. Its basis is represented by handicrafts, especially traditional Armenian ceramics. The composition, dedicated to the new time, reflects the changed historical realities and the gradual rapprochement of the Armenian state with Russia.
Museum of Literature and Art
Achievements of Armenian culture are the main pride of this museum. Since ancient times, Yerevan has been a cultural center attracting gifted people from all over the Caucasus. Thanks to this, the museum owns a rich collection of documents, photographs and personal items of many Armenian writers and artists. There are many personal archives here, there is a rich library of 60 thousand volumes in various languages. Most of the expositions of this museum are devoted to the history of the twentieth century - the history of Soviet Armenia.
Museum of Russian Art
The funds are based on the collections of Professor A. Y. Abrahamyan.
Most of the exhibits are painting and sculpture. The collection includes such famous Russian artists of the 19th century as V. I. Surikov, B. M. Kustodiev and A. N. Benois.
Among the artists of the Soviet period, one can note the members of the associations “Blue Vase” and “Jack of Diamonds” - I. I. Mashkov, A. V. Lentulov, P. P. Konchalovsky and others.
The exposition also needs to be noted the work of sculptors I. Gunzburg, M. Antokolsky and A. E. Carrier-Belleza.
A considerable part of the collection consists of objects of decorative art - porcelain and bronze figurines, dishes. First of all, these are products of Russian and German factories of the 19th century.
Museum of Folk Art
It was created in 1978 and is based on the funds of the House of Folk Art. The collection of the museum is more than eleven thousand exhibits. Various variations of folk art are presented here - from traditional Armenian crafts to contemporary art.
There is a hall filled with carved wooden objects, there is a rich collection of artisanal, but masterfully made jewelry, in which masters use the most ancient techniques. Presented are traditional Armenian lace and specific Armenian carpets, distinguished by a special knitting. Also on display are the works of amateur artists.
Armenian Genocide Museum in Yerevan
This museum reflects the most tragic page in the history of Armenia. During the First World War, more than one and a half million Armenians, representing a defenseless civilian population, were destroyed on the territory of the Ottoman Empire. In memory of this, a memorial was opened in 1965, consisting of a 100-meter basalt wall, a 45-meter granite wall and a memorial sanctuary. Next to the memorial in 1995, the Museum of the Armenian Genocide was opened in Yerevan.
Its main content is material exhibits, photographs and documents designed to perpetuate the memory of the victims of genocide. This museum is also a serious scientific center, a place for regular scientific conferences.
In memory of the Soviet filmmaker
The Museum of Sergei Parajanov, opened in 1991, the basis of the exhibition is the work of the Soviet film director and artist Sergei Iosifovich Parajanov.
Here are various drawings and sketches of the artist, collages and reviews of films, even ceramics. Here you can see the interior of Parajanov’s house in Tiflis in the form of two rooms in detail. Also presented are unique documents detailing the thorny life path of the artist.
The capital of Armenia is deservedly proud of its beautiful museums that reflect the diversity and antiquity of Armenian culture.